Description
Comforting “Easy Taco Casserole with Fritos” brings Mexican-inspired flavors to your dinner table in one satisfying dish. Layers of seasoned ground beef, zesty salsa, and crunchy corn chips create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 can corn (drained)
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups (0.5 kg) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag Fritos corn chips
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) sour cream (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, creating an ideal environment for baking the casserole.
- In a heavy skillet, transform the ground beef from raw to perfectly browned, carefully draining away excess fat to ensure a lean foundation.
- Infuse the meat with robust taco seasoning, then introduce black beans, sweet corn kernels, and vibrant diced tomatoes, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld flavors for several minutes.
- Select a spacious baking dish and construct strategic layers: spread the seasoned beef mixture as the base, generously blanket with shredded cheese, and crown with a crispy Fritos landscape.
- Transfer the assembled casserole into the preheated oven, allowing the cheese to melt into a golden, bubbling masterpiece over 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and enhance the dish with a dollop of cool, creamy sour cream, then sprinkle freshly chopped green onions across the top for a zesty finishing touch.
Notes
- Crush Fritos slightly before layering to create a more even, crispy topping that distributes better across the casserole.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains the dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Use low-sodium taco seasoning and drain canned beans to control salt content, making this dish more heart-friendly and diet-conscious.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and assemble quickly, perfect for busy weeknight dinners when you want a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg